Re: What Do You Look for in Buying a Car?

I look for simplicity in systems and practicality and low cost. My last vehicle was perfect for the city I lived in, and useful for in-state trips. When I moved to the mountains, however, I discovered that high-centering on a snowflake was not a useful characteristic, so I thought about my needs (more winter driving, need to haul "stuff", especially horse feed) and bought a 2wd Ford Ranger for cash. Saved a lot by shopping 2 years for that puppy!

Also bought a set of rims and had winter tires mounted on them. It's free to have them switched out with my summer tires, so that's not a recurring cost and I don't have to change them myself.

IMO, of these the best overall were the Hondas. We liked our 2004 Honda Element so much that when it was totalled last year, we could have afforded newer and "better, but bought a used 2008 Element with similar mileage.

Re: What Do You Look for in Buying a Car?

I have my eye on the future when I buy a car. What weather I might encounter, what activities I will actually be doing and who I might have going with me. I am an artist and a potter. I plan to retire to the north east in the near future, so I know I need room to haul supplies, art work and a tiny trailer so I can go to art shows with my stuff. AND an all weather car. I look for AWD or 4WD, a fold flat back seat (I have never understood the stupid seats that fold down but insist on being at a 45 degree angle) and good gas mileage. I research safety stats and repair costs as well. I also REALLY WANT COMFORT!! Heated seats (it gets cold) heated mirrors and REMOTE START so the darn thing can warm up BEFORE I get in it. With those things in mind I am thinking maybe the Subaru Outback, AWD wagon. OR the Lexus 450h. I am leaning toward the 450h because it is a big car (hitting a deer = I might survive, unlike small cars) its seats fold flat and it gets well over 25 miles a gallon, and it comes with a full array of comfort features. My hitch with it is possible repair costs, ouchy...My first car?? The car that was the love of my life was a VW square back or type 3, but those are had to come by these days and not dependable enough for really rough weather. And of course when I was young I really never thought much about being comfortable, too busy worrying about everyone else